Articles for the ‘Fall 2010’ Category

Eric Rudisale stars as Jack and Lily Flores and Elizabeth Bent star as Buttercup in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, a ribtickling musical holiday extravaganza by Dafydd Rees and Stephen Russell

Two for one special this Friday evening, Dec. 17 at 7:30 PM. Just call the box office at 508-432-2002 and mention this patron mail!

Rock ‘n’ roll classics mix with a storytelling style straight from the British Isles for an evening that goes from 0 to 60 JPMs (Jokes-Per-Minute) at the drop of a magic legume. It’s the old story about a boy (Jack) and a bag of beans (soon to be a beanstalk), a cow, a giant, an enraged French chef, a GPS with a mind of its own, the Village People, a suspiciously hairy older woman, a King, a Princess, and our brave and plucky lad’s not-so brave or bright sister. Houses will tumble, Pastries will crumble (they’re only made of paper maiché) and true love is here to stay. For all ages!

JACK and The BEANSTALK continues thru December 30 * Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 3 PM. Special vacation matinees on Dec 26 – 30 at 3PM

ANN MARIE SHEA’s Last Word, a full length play about the death of romance in a May-December marriage, won First Prize and will be read at New Works Festival at Firehouse Center for the Performing Arts in Newburyport, MA. Also on the festival bill is a staging of Old Friends, New Benefits, her one-act play about a new turn in the relationship of two old pals. The festival is scheduled for January 21-22 and 28-29, 2011 at 8pm. (Check Firehouse website for exact scheduling.)

Elsewhere, on the same weekends, Turtle Lane Playhouse in Auburndale, MA, will produce her one-act play Family Archive, about untimely revelation of a family secret.

Best Production:– M&M Productions’
Six Nights in the Black Belt Going to Regionals
Submitted by Chuck Emmons

The 39th annual NH State Community Theater Festival was held September 25-26 at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts in Milford, NH.

Nine organizations from around the state performed a variety of shows covering the gamut from absurd comedy to searing drama. Each was adjudicated by Genevieve Aichele of the NH Theatre Project in Portsmouth,; Kevin Gardner, Critic and Contributor to NHPR; and Peggy Rae Johnson of Keene State theater department.

Two productions were selected at this festival to continue onto the New England Regional Festival sponsored by the New England Theatre Conference. Best Production honors went to Six Nights in the Black Belt, from M&M Productions. The alternate winner, also going to Regionals, was Milford Area Players’ Animal Farm.

The Regional will be held in the Concord City Auditorium in Concord, NH the weekend of March 4, 2011. These shows will join two productions from eastern Massachusetts, and entries from Maine and Rhode Island. The show at the Regional selected as best production will have the honor of representing New England at the National Festival to be held in Rochester, NY in June 2011.

The following groups and individuals that were also recognized at the NH Community Theater Festival for their excellence:

The Un-Common Theatre Company is bringing a variety of productions to the area for the 2010 – 2011season. Performances include something for everyone – from classic Broadway musicals to hilarious improv to an enchanting fairytale.

The season will kick off with the Broadway musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. This show promises audiences a rainbow ride through biblical Egypt . Written by musical theatre masterminds, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this show is an irresistibly hilarious re-telling of the story of Joseph, his jealous brothers and one very loud garment. This colorful musical will have you singing and dancing in your seats to songs that span all the way from calypso to rock to disco to country. This worldwide phenomenon has been an audience favorite for more than thirty-five years!

This is Un-Common’s third collaboration with Bay Colony Productions. Performances will be held at the Orpheum Theatre Foxboro on Friday, December 3rd and 10th at 7:30 pm, Saturday, December 4th and 11th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 5th and 12th at 2:00 pm. Advance Ticket prices are: Premium $22, Reserved $20 and Balcony $16. Prices for tickets purchased the week of the show are: Premium $26, Reserved $24 and Balcony $20. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling (800) 838 – 3006. For information on handicapped and group tickets for this show please call the Orpheum Foxboro box office at 508 543-2787.

Un-Common is looking forward to the spring when they will be performing adaptations of two beloved literary favorites: “The Enchantment of the Beauty and The Beast” and “The Secret Garden”.

The Young Performer’s Company will present the family friendly production of “The Enchantment of the Beauty and The Beast” at Qualter’s Middle School, Mansfield , MA on March 18th – March 20th, 2011. This delightful and thrilling musical tells the tale of a powerful witch who is rejected by a selfish prince. After a curse is placed on him, he is destined to be a “beast” until he learns to love. This comical adaptation is perfect for all ages.

Continuing the literary theme, The Tony Award winning hit “The Secret Garden” will be performed at the Orpheum Theatre Foxboro, MA April 1st – April 3rd, 2911. This captivating classic of children’s literature is re-imagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of “Night Mother”. Orphaned in India , 11 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son Colin. The estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the “Dreamers”, spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing “The Secret Garden’s” compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal.

Throughout the year Un-Common’s hilarious teen improvisational troupe, Improv Soup, will be performing their unique and ever-changing comical shows at the Burrell Elementary School Auditorium, Foxboro , MA . This is a fun and affordable night out for teens and beyond with tickets just $3 for students and $5 for adults. The first three shows are scheduled for October 29th, November 19th and December 17th. Show time is 7:30 pm. For further information please visit www.improvsoup.org.

The season will wrap up over the summer with the return of Un-Common’s award winning Young Adult Company’s performances.

Auditions for “The Enchantment of the Beauty and The Beast” and “The Secret Garden” will be held in mid December 2010 and early January, 2011 respectively. Rehearsals for these shows will begin in early January, 2011. For information on these performances and The Un-Common Theatre Company, please visit their website at www.uncommmontheatre.org .

The Un-Common Theatre Company is in its’ 31st year as one of the few children’s theater companies in New England that provides aspiring young actors, singers, musicians, and technicians an opportunity to work under the guidance of theater professionals and perform in professional theater houses. Their mission is to create a safe, professional environment to expose youth to the complete theatrical experience while developing their confidence, self-esteem, teamwork and effective life skills.

What: The Fenn School, an independent middle school located in Concord, Massachusetts, seeks a part-time Music Director for the school musical November 22-March 5.
Qualifications: Experience and success leading all music-related aspects of musical theater. Enthusiasm for working with 8th and 9th grade students; ability to conduct effective choral rehearsals and coach soloists; excellent accompanying skills; ability to assemble, conduct and play in a small orchestra pit for two rehearsals and three performances. The position requires enthusiasm, collaborative skills, and flexibility.
Time requirements:
Auditions: Monday, November 22, 4:00 – 6:00 PM; Tuesday, November 23, 1:15-4:30 PM
Rehearsals: Mondays and Thursdays, 1:45-3:15 PM from November 29 through March 2; Tuesday afternoons, 1:15-4:30 PM from January 4 through March 1.
Tech Week: Friday, February 25, 8:30 AM-3:30 PM; Sunday, February 28, 1:00-5:00 PM with orchestra; Monday, March 1, 2:00-5:30 PM; Tuesday, March 2, 1:00-5:30 PM Dress Rehearsal; Wednesday, March 3, 2:00-3:30 PM.
Performances: Thursday, March 3, Friday, March 4, Saturday, March 5 – all at 7:00 PM
Compensation: competitive.
Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to Mike Salvatore, Arts Department Chair (msalvatore@fenn.org)

Proscenium Circus, the student theater at Acton-Boxborough Reg. High School, opens it’s 43rd season with “The Witches.” The story involves a boy who accidently encounters a secret meeting of witches and learns how they are planning to rid England of all children. This scary-funny show is directed by Linda Potter and perfect for Halloween.

“This play is based on a book by Roald Dahl, an author whose books have been read by nearly every child in the United States and Great Britain,” said director Linda Potter. “It is very exciting to bring his work to life on stage.” (The show is recommended for students age 7 and above.)

Evening performances are Oct 22, 23, 29 & 30 at 7:30 pm (Tickets $12). The matinee is Sunday, Oct 24 at 3:00 pm (Tickets $10). Tickets are on sale at MKTix.com and at the door. Seats are not reserved. Doors open 30 minutes before each show. For more information or group rates, emailABDrama@comcast.net.

Now playing through Oct 10th. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 4pm. Call the box office at 508-432-2002 or reserve on line at hjtcapecod.org

For our loyal email subscribers, mention this email and get a $5.00 discount

Our patrons praised The Glass Menagerie….read their emails below!

“Accolades to all involved with such a thoughtful production of THE GLASS MENAGERIE. Even if you have seen the play before-clear your calendar to see this production at HJT that allows the cast to open their hearts to the words of Tennessee Williams and brings those words into the hearts of the audience. From the opening scene till the candles dim you will take a journey into time and into the very heart & soul of one of America’s greatest playwrights. It is ‘CRYSTAL CLEAR’ why THE GLASS MENAGERIE continues to be a favorite of the stage. And HJT has created an outstanding production that should not be missed. It is easy to see why HJT is ready to celebrate its 60th season in 2011!” - Donna

“This production of “THE GLASS MENAGERIE” by HJT allows each of us to identify with the whole or parts of its characters. From the opening scene where the exterior apartment building walls open like the covers of a book swinging us into the heart of the author to the ending scene of closing walls and flickering candlelight within-hope is still to be found. HJT has captured the heart of Tennessee Williams -like no other production I have seen-and made his heart our own!” - Ron